Learning Communities
Through a Doane Learning Community, students have the unique opportunity to experience how subjects and ideas are interconnected - how they relate to one another. Students engaged through a Doane Learning Community experience connections and ideas, engage in learning in an interdisciplinary setting, develop useful strategies and skills, get to know new friends and faculty, and have fun in a unique learning environment.
Doane Learning Communities take different forms - from students in different courses working together on a shared assignment; to students co-enrolling in multiple courses that are connected through multiple experiences; to single, thematic courses built around an interdisciplinary theme and taught by faculty from multiple disciplines.
Below are examples of thematic Doane Learning Communities recently offered:
FALL 2010
Social Responsibility
LAR 271: Challenging your perspective
Course Credit: LAR 101=3; Soc 109=3 Or LAR 371=3; Soc 109=3
Faculty: DeBoer, Vertin
What are your thoughts on immigration? Do you support same sex marriage? Do you oppose the death penalty? Do you support a National Health Care Plan? Have you ever carefully analyzed your position on social issues? In this course, students will use a sociological lens to examine the effects of variables such as race, ethnicity, social class, and gender on social issues. Through this exploration students will engage in critical analysis and develop an educated perspective on these issues. Students will learn how to formulate, organize, and communicate thoughts and ideas using sociological principles. Students will express thoughts and ideas in persuasive essays, informal debates, and a group project intended to educate others about a social issue of interest.
Truth(s)
LAR 271: A Human Rights Journey
Course Credit: LAR 101=3; PRE 111=3
Faculty: Kalbach, Engebretson
This course will take students on an intellectual journey of seeking truth as it relates to the issue of human rights and human wrongs. Students will explore these issues by focusing on the concept of ethics in relation to human thought and behavior. Readings, speakers, field trips, and mock trials will be used as guides on the journey. This journey will include a service-learning activity as another window into truth(s).
Emergent Properties
LAR 271: Molecules to Cells
Course Credit: Bio 120=4; Chm 125=4
Faculty: Marley, E. Wilson
Through this course, students will discover the properties of individual atoms, how they combine and interact to form molecules and how those molecules interact to create a cell which can carry out all the biochemical reactions it needs to survive and reproduce. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have an understanding of general chemistry concepts including atomic structure and properties, stoichiometry, properties of solutions, oxidation and reduction, acid-base chemistry, and intermolecular interactions, all the while weaving together an understanding of how these general chemistry principles apply to and can be used to understand the molecular and biochemical nature of cells.
SPRING 2010
Symmetry
LAR 271: The Art of Math
Course Credit: Art 107=3; Mth 108=3
Faculty: Knobel, Hart
Many works of art are rich in mathematical structure, and many mathematical objects utilize the elements and principles of art. This course investigates connections between art and mathematics. Students will utilize artistic design elements and mathematical modeling to create 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional artwork and will explore the complexities common to both.
Change
LAR 271: Transformation: The many facets of change
Course Credit: Eng 101=3; BIO 101=3
Faculty: Levitov, York
(This course is in development.)
This course addresses the topic of change through explorations of the fundamentals of biological evolution and the portrayal of personal and societal transformation in literature and other media. Students will draw connections among the various interpretations of change, particularly through discussions and written reflections. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: 1) describe the mechanisms and outcomes of biological evolution; and 2) analyze literary depictions of transformations in order to compare and contrast fictional and biographical perceptions with scientific perceptions. (This course is not for majors requiring Bio 120 or 121).
Perceptions
LAR 271: Case Studies in Communications and Historical Issues
Course Credit: CMS 112=3; His 106=3
Faculty: McCown, Orsag
(This course is in development.)
Through discussion, debate, and simulations students will develop and utilize small group communications skills. The topical subject matter of the course will be exploration and analysis of a series of historical questions and problems covering the Modern Period of European and World history (1815-2010).